Joint media release with the Hon Nita Green and the Hon Andrew Powell MP
- Albanese and Crisafulli Governments announce successful recipients of the Western Queensland Events Boost Fund.
- Funding to strengthen event programming, marketing and visitation outcomes for communities impacted by the 2025 Western Queensland floods.
- More than $282,000 in recovery funding to support 15 events across Outback Queensland.
The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments have today announced the successful recipients of the Western Queensland Events Boost Fund, with $282,000 committed to support 15 events across Outback Queensland as part of ongoing flood recovery efforts.
The funding is jointly supported through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and will help drive visitation, strengthen local economies and support rebuilding communities impacted by the 2025 Western Queensland floods.
Delivered through Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) as part of the Western Queensland recovery package, the Western Queensland Events Boost Fund is a contestable program designed to enhance the tourism impact of events in nine flood-impacted Local Government Areas (LGAs).
It supports initiatives such as out-of-region marketing, expanded programming and additional event infrastructure to attract visitors from outside the region.
Funding has been awarded to 15 events across all nine eligible LGAs, with $282,000 in recovery funding supporting initiatives that will help attract visitors, strengthen local economies and support community recovery.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the Albanese Government looked forward to seeing more visitors appreciate the Queensland outback once again.
"Outback Queensland is a beautiful part of this country, and I look forward to seeing people visiting those areas once again and re-generating local economy off the back of these events," Minister McBain said.
"The Albanese Government is continuing to work closely with the Crisafulli Government to ensure that disaster impacted communities get the support they need to recover."
Federal Assistant Minister for Tourism and Senator for Queensland, Nita Green, said that this would be a welcome relief for Outback Queenslanders.
"It's been a tough few months for tourism operators in Outback Queensland. "Supporting these events will encourage visitation to regional Queensland and support local businesses.
"This is just one way our government is supporting regional Queensland in recover from natural disasters."
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said events were a critical driver of tourism and economic activity in regional Queensland.
"Events put heads in beds, money through local businesses and confidence back into communities," Minister Powell said.
"This funding will help organisers improve their programs, grow their audiences and drive tourism, bolstering Queensland as the Home of the Holiday and supporting Outback communities as they recover."
Tourism and Events Queensland Chief Executive Officer Craig Davidson said the breadth of successful projects reflected the strength and diversity of events across the region.
"We received many great applications throughout this process, highlighting just how important events are to Outback Queensland's tourism economy," Mr Davidson said.
"By supporting 15 events across every eligible local government area, this funding will help drive visitation and spread the benefits of recovery across the region."
Funded initiatives include enhanced marketing campaigns, expanded event programming, additional artists and performers, improved production and the engagement of specialist digital, media and public relations support to increase out-of-region awareness.
The Western Queensland Events Boost Fund forms part of the broader $2.14 million tourism recovery program delivered by TEQ and supported by the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
